Al-Shabab, nicknamed "The Sheikh of Clubs" and "The White Lion," has always been a cornerstone of Saudi football. Its fans are accustomed to seeing their team fiercely competing at the forefront, reaching for gold and podium finishes. However, recent seasons have plunged this venerable institution into a cycle of constant change. New tactical ideas are born only to be buried before they can fully mature, and coaches come and go, each pursuing a dream that has yet to find stability. This has left Al-Shabab fans eagerly awaiting the hand that will take the reins and restore the team to its rightful place as a competitive champion.

A proven track record of technical changes

The road ahead has not been easy in the last five years, as the club's corridors have witnessed a turbulent artistic movement reflecting a continuous search for a lost identity. A close examination of the past period reveals a long list of names that have occupied the coaching bench:

• Pedro Caixinha (Portuguese): July 2020 – January 2021.
• Carlos Hernandez (Spanish): January 2021 – May 2021.
• Pericles Chamusca (Brazilian): May 2021 – March 2022.
• Marius Sumudica (Romanian): March 2022 – June 2022.
• Vicente Moreno (Spanish): July 2022 – June 2023.
• Marcel Kaiser (Dutch): July 2023 – September 2023.
• Igor Peškan (Croatian): October 2023 – December 2023.
• Vitor Pereira (Portuguese): February 2024 – December 2024.
• Imanol Alguacil (Spanish): July 2025 – February 17, 2026.
• Noureddine Ben Zakri (Algerian): February 18, 2026 – present.

Ben Zekri's return: A bet on experience and personality

The appointment of Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri at a crucial time (February 2026) raises legitimate questions about the team's future. Al-Shabab is not a fleeting club in the history of Saudi football; it is a school that has produced legends and a symbol of footballing glory. However, in recent years, it has been searching for its identity amidst changing plans and shifting approaches, forgetting that stability is not a luxury but the cornerstone of any successful football project.

Today, with the return of Benzekri, the landscape could be entirely different. This coach enjoys a stellar reputation in Saudi football, known as the "giant killer" and for his exceptional ability to instill a fighting spirit (grinta) in his players. Benzekri is no stranger to the Saudi league; he knows the intricacies of the competition, understands the local player mentality perfectly, and excels at reading the nuances of matches in challenging stadiums and under intense crowd pressure.

The importance of technical stability for the future of Al-Laith

The appointment of a coach with the experience of Ben Zekri signals a shift in the club's strategy, moving away from seeking big-name, internationally renowned coaches who might require a long adaptation period, and towards relying on competent individuals capable of immediately addressing the demands of the league. The issue isn't the coach's nationality, but rather his understanding of the environment, the intensity of the fierce competition, and the heat of the battle for points. Al-Shabab fans hope this will mark the end of a series of changes and the beginning of a new era, one in which the club roars once again on the fields of the Kingdom and Asia.

The management of Al-Hilal Saudi Club officially announced the final dates for the anticipated match that will bring together the first football team with its counterpart Al-Sadd of Qatar, within the competitions of the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League in its new edition, which is witnessing fierce competition between the giants of the Asian continent.

Details of the home and away match dates during Ramadan

According to the approved schedule, the first leg will be played in Doha, Qatar, on Monday, the 13th of Ramadan, with Al-Hilal facing the Qatari team in the opening match of the knockout stage. The decisive second leg will be played at Al-Hilal's home ground in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, the 21st of Ramadan, after which the team that officially qualifies for the quarterfinals will be determined.

A football summit with a special Ramadan flavor

These two matches take on a special significance as they will be held during the nights of the holy month of Ramadan, creating an exceptional and emotional atmosphere for football matches in the Arabian Gulf region. Large crowds are expected in both Doha and Riyadh, given the immense popularity of both clubs and the evening match times, which are convenient for fasting fans, promising unforgettable evenings of football.

A rich history and a clash of titans in Asia

This encounter is part of a series of historic meetings between Saudi and Qatari clubs, specifically between Al-Hilal and Al-Sadd, two giants of Asian football. Al-Hilal boasts a golden record in the tournament as the most decorated club in the continental competition, while Al-Sadd has a rich history as a former Asian champion, making this match a kind of "early final" between two powerhouses seeking to reaffirm their continental dominance.

The new tournament system and Al-Hilal's aspirations

These matches fall under the umbrella of the newly revamped "AFC Champions League Elite" format, established by the Asian Football Confederation to enhance the tournament's competitiveness and marketing value. Al-Hilal, boasting a roster of international and domestic stars, aims to continue its continental journey steadily and overcome Qatari side Al-Sadd to reach the advanced stages, with the ultimate goal of reclaiming the continental title and adding it to its already impressive trophy cabinet, bolstered by the unwavering support of its management and vast fan base.

UEFA announced today that it has opened a formal disciplinary investigation into allegations of discriminatory and racist behavior during the heated Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Lisbon.

This swift action by the European football governing body came after Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior directly accused Benfica's young player Gianluca Prestini of directing racist insults at him during Tuesday's match in the first leg of the play-off round for the most prestigious continental tournament.

Details of the incident and the match being stopped

The match was marked by moments of intense tension that led to a temporary halt in play for over ten minutes, after Vinicius Junior lodged an immediate and formal complaint with the French referee, François Letixsier, following a heated verbal exchange with Prestiani. Despite the tension, the Brazilian player returned to complete the match until the final whistle. Real Madrid later confirmed in a statement that the player involved in the altercation was Gianluca Prestiani.

UEFA's stance and expected actions

In an official statement regarding the events, a UEFA spokesperson said: “A thorough and comprehensive review of the official reports from last night’s matches is currently underway. We adhere to a zero-tolerance policy towards racism, and any reported offenses will be dealt with immediately. Should the investigations result in a finding of guilt and the imposition of sanctions, these will be announced transparently on the UEFA Disciplinary Committee website.”.

A recurring theme and an ongoing battle against racism

This incident is particularly significant given Vinicius Junior's long history of suffering from racist chants and practices in European stadiums, especially in La Liga. In recent years, the Brazilian star has become a global icon in the fight against racism in football, prompting FIFA and UEFA to toughen penalties and implement stricter protocols to protect players.

This incident once again highlights the challenges facing European football in eliminating racial discrimination, as the global sports community awaits the results of this investigation, which may result in deterrent penalties including suspensions and fines, and perhaps penalties affecting fans or stadiums if other parties are found to be involved, in order to ensure a clean and safe sporting environment for all players.